Context
LINC is a small business, headquartered in Washington DC, dedicated to strengthening local actors and systems. At LINC, we believe that a practical approach to engaging committed, capable local actors, increases international development effectiveness and sustainability. Awarded USAID’s “Small Business of the Year” distinction in 2017, we are a team of reflective practitioners, passionate and energetic in our work, and committed to locally led development. We partner with major universities, foundations, local NGOs, consulting firms, and international cooperation agencies, including USAID. For more information on LINC, please visit www.linclocal.org.
In Mexico, LINC is implementing the USAID Monitoring and Evaluation Support for Adaptation (MESA) Activity (2022-2027), which is designed to strengthen the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) systems and capacity of the USAID/Mexico Mission and its implementing partners. LINC is implementing this Activity with the support of local subcontractor, Sistemas de Inteligencia en Mercados y Opinión (SIMO), an exceptionally experienced female-led consultancy firm that specializes in evaluation and research.
USAID/Mexico MESA Activity Scope of Work
The MESA Activity provides a range of demand-driven services to USAID/Mexico, with a focus on three component areas. Services to be provided under the current contract with USAID/Mexico include:
- Monitoring: Strategic development and/or refinement of indicators, conducting data quality assurance, and supporting indicator data reporting, management, analysis, and visualizations.
- Evaluations, Assessments, and Other Studies: Planning, design, learning, and dissemination for USAID activity evaluations, broader assessments, and other studies to inform activity design and/or improvement.
- Collaboration and Capacity Building: Supporting and facilitating Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes and engagements with stakeholders, developing Communities of Practice, and MEL and CLA capacity building.
Consultancy Services to Support the Implementation of Selected Activity in the Scope of Work
To provide planned services under this scope of work, the USAID/Mexico MESA Activity intends to work with pre-qualified local organizations and independent consultants with expertise in the approaches and technical areas in demand for USAID/Mexico. Thus, the MESA Activity is calling for Expression of Interest from qualified Consulting Firms, Research Institutions, Think Tanks, Universities, and Independent Consultants to be assessed for pre-qualification to perform tasks in the following MEL and CLA activities:
| Task Area 1: Research and Analysis | Task Area 2: Evaluation and Assessment Services | Task Area 3: Capacity Building and Learning Support Services |
| – Research – Data Collection – Analysis | – Performance Evaluation – Impact Evaluation – Formative Evaluation | – Capacity Building and Training – Facilitation of Meetings and Workshops – Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Activities |
| Example MEL Tools and Approaches | Subject Matter Area |
| – Survey Design – Key Informant Interviews – Focus Group – Facilitation – Pause and Reflect Sessions – Statistical Analysis – Qualitative Data Analysis – Theory of Change Development – Outcome Harvesting – Network Analysis – Systems Mapping – Contribution Analysis – Indicator Design | – Crime and Violence Prevention – TransparencyHuman Rights – Justice and Rule of Law – Civil Society and Governance – Capacity Strengthening – Biodiversity – Economic Development – Climate Change – Migration |
Qualification
Qualification of organizations is contingent on their ability to demonstrate a) Institutional and key personnel’s experience in carrying out assignments in the areas and themes listed above, b) Ability to communicate in spoken and written Spanish and English, and c) Experience in Mexico or similar contexts.
Qualification of independent consultants is contingent on their ability to demonstrate a) Past experience in carrying out assignments in task areas, approaches, and/or subject matter areas listed above, b) Ability to communicate in spoken and written Spanish and English, and c) Experience in Mexico or similar contexts.
Interested local organizations and consultants must complete the form at this link and upload relevant documents such as CVs and organizational brochures or capacity statements. Please note that the Mexico MESA Activity is under no obligation to use the services of any interested organizations.
Link to the expression of interest form: https://forms.gle/G2qmfaTcZ5cNvzZB6